In many places where a highway crosses a railway track we see the sign, "Stop, Look, Listen." The purpose of this sign is to make the driver alert and observant, to be watchful for his own protection and safety, as well as to be mindful of the welfare of others. The one who is watchful avoids danger.
Mary Baker Eddy placed on the front cover of the Christian Science Sentinel the words of Jesus (Mark 13:37), "What I say unto you I say unto all. Watch." She discerned the spiritual import of this admonition, and her writings point to the need of Christian Scientists following the steps of the Master by being good watchers. One becomes a good watcher through spiritual growth, understanding, and discernment. Watching in Science is the practical application of spiritual perception.
Those who are spiritually alert take advantage of every unfolding spiritual idea. Truth does not dawn on their thought at a time when they are unprepared to receive it. Jesus described the spiritually-minded workers when he said (Luke 12: 37): "Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them." Those who are watching spiritually shall partake of the meal that the Christ provides and shall be fed with the manna of spiritual understanding.
